QPR transfer latest: Diarra and McCarthy in, Remy and Simpson out

QPR, 7/4 with Coral to be relegated, are having a busy few final days of the summer transfer window, as Hoops manager Harry Redknapp buys and sells to reshape his squad for a tough Premier League campaign ahead.

Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has arrived at Loftus Road to provide competition for QPR number one Robert Green for a reported £3m. The 24-year-old, who has previously received a senior England call-up, has penned a four-year deal with the Hoops.

French midfielder Lassana Diarra, 29, meanwhile has also joined QPR, according to Redknapp, although the club have yet to official confirm his transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow. “Lassana Diarra has signed and I’m delighted to have him,” said Redknapp. “I had him at Portsmouth and he is a terrific player.”

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid man, who wears his nickname ‘Lass’ on the back of his shirt bolsters Hoops midfield ranks, which also include fellow summer recruits Leroy Fer and Jordon Mutch.

While these two arrivals are coming into west London, France forward Loic Remy is on the verge of joining neighbours Chelsea after they activated his release clause. This is the latest step in a transfer chain started by Chile attacker Alexis Sanchez’s £30m move to Arsenal from Barcelona.

That left Barca to splash £75m on Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, who in turn spent £16m on Mario Balotelli of AC Milan. The Rossoneri replaced him with Stamford Bridge flop Fernando Torres on a two-year loan deal, leaving Jose Mourinho in the hunt for a striker.

Paying Remy’s release clause, reportedly £10.5m, is seen by the Blues hierarchy as a cheaper alternative to Roma frontman Mattia Destro. Remy almost joined Liverpool earlier this summer, but failed a medical.

And finally, QPR have allowed right back Danny Simpson to leave for relegation rivals Leicester City (11/4 to go down). The Foxes have a penchant for signing Manchester United academy products, and the 27-year-old fits that bill. Simpson moves to the King Power Stadium on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.